Search SDAT Records, Decode the Value, and Use the Right Maryland Office
Maryland property records work differently from many county assessor systems. Real-property assessments are maintained statewide by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, or SDAT, while county and municipal governments issue tax bills and Circuit Court land records provide the recorded deeds.
This guide shows the exact SDAT search quirks, how to use an address or Property Account Number when owner-name searching is unavailable, how the three-year reassessment and phase-in work, which 2026 tax dates matter, how to check Homestead and income-based credits, and where to go for deeds, plats, appeals, billing or tax-sale help.
Quick answer: start with SDAT, but do not search by owner name
Select the property’s county or Baltimore City in the official SDAT Real Property Data Search, then use the street address, Property Account Identification Number, or available map-reference search. Maryland’s public SDAT property database does not support searching directly by owner name, town, neighborhood, subdivision or ZIP code.
Maryland property record facts
After you understand the search rules below, use the official portal. The SDAT search page requires JavaScript, warns that it may be unavailable before 7:00 a.m. for maintenance, and limits deleted-account searches to the Property Account Identifier.
Jump to the Maryland property task you need
Assessment records, tax bills, deeds and appeals belong to different Maryland systems. Choose the task rather than assuming one website controls everything.
Assessment, tax payment and deed records are split between different offices
Property record
Credits
Exemptions
Balance
Payment
Penalties
Mortgage
Lien
Recorded instrument
Survey plat
Condo plat
Map image
PTAAB
Tax Court
Value review
Your question |
Start here |
What it provides |
Important limit |
|---|---|---|---|
What is the assessed or market value? |
SDAT Real Property Search / local assessment office |
Current property characteristics, values, owner display and assessment data. |
It does not show the live tax amount due. |
How much property tax do I owe? |
County or municipal billing/collection office |
Current bill, balance, payments, interest, penalties and local charges. |
SDAT specifically states that it does not host tax bills. |
Who appears as owner? |
SDAT property record |
Owner name appearing from the recorded deed information in SDAT. |
Use the recorded deed for legal document research. |
Where is the deed or mortgage? |
Circuit Court land records / MDLandRec |
Recorded deeds, mortgages and other land instruments. |
An SDAT owner display is not a substitute for reviewing the recorded instrument. |
Is the property value too high? |
Local SDAT assessment office / assessment appeal |
Supervisor-level appeal and valuation discussion. |
A high tax bill by itself is not evidence that fair market value is wrong. |
Do I have Homestead eligibility on file? |
SDAT Real Property record |
Homestead application status near the bottom of the record. |
Approval does not mean a credit will appear every year. |
Where is the exact legal boundary? |
Deed + plat + professional survey when needed |
Recorded legal and survey evidence. |
SDAT’s online property map is explicitly not a property survey. |
Search by address, PAN or map reference—never start by looking for an owner field
- Select the county or Baltimore City.
- Choose the street-address search.
- Enter the street number when known.
- Use only the core street name.
- Remove direction and suffix words.
- Find the PAN on an assessment notice or prior record.
- Select the correct county first.
- Enter the district/account components requested.
- Do not include internal letters printed after the number.
- Use PAN for deleted accounts.
- Use when address information is unreliable.
- Copy map/parcel clues from a prior assessment record.
- Confirm the resulting street location.
- Match the PAN before relying on the result.
- Use the map only as research—not a survey.
Maryland’s address-search rules are unusually strict
Anne Arundel and Baltimore City PANs are different
The account structure uses the county code followed by assessment district, subdivision code and account number.
SDAT’s format example is based on a pattern such as county 02 + district + three-digit subdivision + eight-digit account number.
Baltimore City uses a different structure involving Ward, Section, Block and Lot.
Do not try to force a normal county PAN format into the Baltimore City search fields.
Save these details from the result
If SDAT says no result, diagnose the input before assuming the record is missing
Maryland uses fair market value—not a statewide 35% assessed-value ratio
Think fair market value first
SDAT appraises Maryland real property based on fair market value. The sales, cost and income approaches are recognized methods used to indicate market value depending on the property.
When a regular triennial reassessment increases a property’s value, the increase is generally phased into the taxable assessment in equal portions over the three-year cycle rather than becoming fully taxable all at once.
How a three-year phase-in works
Field |
What it means |
How to use it |
|---|---|---|
PAN / Property Account Identifier |
Primary SDAT account identifier for the property. |
Save it for assessment, billing and office questions. |
Base Value |
Full cash value before the most recent reassessment. |
Compare it with the current reassessment value. |
Current Value |
Full cash value established in the most recent assessment. |
Focus on whether this fair-market-value conclusion is accurate. |
Land / Improvements |
Components making up the property’s total value. |
Check whether the land, house and other improvements are described correctly. |
Owner Name |
Name shown from the last recorded deed information. |
Use the Liber/Folio to move into the recorded land record. |
Liber / Folio |
Book and page reference where a deed is recorded. |
Enter it in MDLandRec to retrieve the actual recorded instrument. |
Street Location |
Address assigned by local government. |
It can differ from the owner’s mailing address or commonly used number. |
Homestead status |
Shows whether a Homestead eligibility application is on file. |
If it says “No Application,” review the one-time application process. |
Tax Exempt |
Indicates whether a state/local real-property exemption applies. |
Review the exemption class rather than assuming all taxes or charges disappear. |
2026 reassessment values rose statewide, but the statewide average is not your property’s value
SDAT’s 2026 Group 2 reassessment covered 789,178 residential and commercial properties across all 23 counties and Baltimore City. Maryland has more than two million property accounts divided among three reassessment groups, with each group reassessed once every three years.
Know the statewide dates, then use your local bill for the actual amount due
Maryland’s 2026–2027 real-property tax year is underway.
Principal-residence first installment or annual payment timing.
Second installment for eligible principal residences, including applicable service charge.
2026–2027 state rate: $0.112 per $100
Maryland’s state real-property tax component for the July 1, 2026 tax bills is $0.1120 for each $100 of assessed value.
That is only the state component. County rates and any municipal rates are added according to the property’s exact jurisdiction.
Why two neighboring Maryland properties can have different tax bills
Homestead, Homeowners’ Tax Credit and exemptions solve different problems
Program |
What it does |
2026 action |
Important distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
Homestead Tax Credit |
Limits the annual taxable-assessment increase on a qualifying principal residence. |
Check SDAT record status; file the one-time eligibility application if needed. |
It does not cap the property’s market value. |
Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit |
Income-based annual property-tax relief for qualifying homeowners of all ages. |
2026 final application deadline: October 1, 2026. |
Requires a new application and income information each year. |
Disabled Veteran Exemption |
Potential real-property exemption for qualifying 100% service-connected permanently and totally disabled veterans. |
Submit exemption application and required VA/discharge evidence to the local assessment office. |
SDAT states that a VA Summary of Benefits letter alone is not accepted for this proof requirement. |
Homeowner Protection Program |
Helps certain limited-income homeowners at risk of tax sale enter an alternative loan/repayment program. |
Check current HPP eligibility before the local tax-sale process advances. |
Enrollment is limited; meeting eligibility does not guarantee enrollment. |
Homestead: one-time application, ongoing eligibility
2026 Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit deadline
Applications completed by this date could place qualifying credit on the July 1 bill.
2026 application window is still open as of August 20.
The 2026 form uses 2025 gross household income.
Homeowner Protection Program: tax-sale risk
Challenge fair market value or property facts—not the size of the tax bill
Evidence that addresses value
New owner or missed normal reassessment window?
If property is transferred between January 1 and June 30, the new owner may file within 60 days of transfer. The deed must be recorded before the office can proceed.
During the two years outside the normal reassessment, SDAT allows a Petition for Review for the next tax year. Current instructions require filing by the first business day following January 1.
Use the SDAT Liber/Folio as the bridge to the recorded deed
An SDAT map can locate a parcel, but it cannot establish the legal boundary on the ground
Resource |
Good for |
Not enough for |
|---|---|---|
SDAT property map |
Locating the assessment account and general parcel context. |
Legal boundary determination or legal description. |
Recorded deed |
Legal-description and ownership-document research. |
Showing surveyed boundary monuments in the field. |
Plats.net |
Subdivision, survey, condominium and other recorded plat images. |
Replacing a new survey when current boundary placement is disputed. |
Professional boundary survey |
Locating relevant property boundaries on the ground. |
Tax assessment or current tax balance. |
Use the statewide directory instead of calling SDAT headquarters for every property
Maryland has local SDAT assessment offices for the 23 counties plus Baltimore City. Most currently list weekday hours of 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Baltimore City lists 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and Prince George’s County currently lists 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Verify the specific office before traveling.
Need |
Contact |
Phone |
Best information to have ready |
|---|---|---|---|
Property assessment / record |
Local SDAT Assessment Office |
Varies by jurisdiction |
PAN, property address, notice date and disputed property fact. |
Real Property headquarters |
SDAT Real Property |
Jurisdiction and property account information. |
|
General SDAT question |
SDAT headquarters |
Department/program you are trying to reach. |
|
Homestead Tax Credit |
Homestead unit |
PAN and Homestead status shown in SDAT. |
|
Homeowners’ Tax Credit |
Homeowners credit unit |
2026 application status and requested documentation. |
|
Current tax balance / payment |
County or municipal tax collector / finance office |
Varies by location |
PAN, property address and tax year. |
Why Maryland does not have the same county-auditor model as Ohio
Maryland is a useful example of why users should identify the task before searching for an office title. Property assessment is administered through the state SDAT structure; tax billing is local; deeds are maintained through Circuit Court land records.
If you are researching another state or need to identify the correct county-equivalent office for property, tax, deed or public-record work, use the CountyAuditors.org office-routing directory.
Before relying on a Maryland record, match the source to the decision
- Assessment and property characteristics
- Owner display from deed information
- Current and base value
- Homestead status
- Tax-exemption indicator
- Deed book/page clue
- Live tax amount and payment
- Recorded deed image
- Mortgage or lien instrument
- Recorded subdivision plat
- Exact field boundary
- Formal assessment appeal
Maryland property tax assessment and records FAQs
What is the official Maryland property assessment search?
The official statewide system is the Maryland SDAT Real Property Data Search. Select the county or Baltimore City and search using an address, Property Account Identifier or another supported property-search method.
Can I search Maryland SDAT property records by owner name?
No. SDAT’s official instructions state that the Real Property database cannot be searched by owner name, town, neighborhood, subdivision or ZIP code. Use the property address or Property Account Number instead.
Why is my Maryland address not finding a property?
Remove street directions such as North or West and remove suffixes such as Street, Avenue, Road or Way. If the exact street name still fails, truncate it and add an asterisk, or try the street name without the house number.
What assessment ratio does Maryland use for real property?
Maryland does not use the Ohio-style 35% assessment rule. SDAT appraises real property at fair market/full cash value. Increases from a regular triennial reassessment are generally phased into the taxable assessment over three years.
How often does Maryland reassess real property?
Maryland real property is reassessed on a three-year cycle. The state’s property accounts are divided into three groups, with approximately one-third reassessed each year.
When are Maryland property taxes due in 2026?
The 2026–2027 tax year began July 1, 2026. For qualifying principal residences, the first semiannual installment or annual payment is due by September 30, 2026, and the second semiannual installment is due by December 31, 2026, including any applicable service charge.
What is Maryland’s state property-tax rate for 2026–2027?
The state real-property tax rate for the July 1, 2026 tax bills is $0.1120 per $100 of assessed value. County and municipal rates vary and must be added according to the property’s exact location.
What is the difference between Maryland Homestead and the Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit?
Homestead is a one-time eligibility program that limits annual growth in the taxable assessment of a qualifying principal residence. The Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit is an income-based program that requires an application each year. The final 2026 Homeowners’ Tax Credit filing deadline is October 1, 2026.
How long do I have to appeal a Maryland reassessment?
A reassessment appeal must generally be filed within 45 days of the Notice of Assessment date. After the Supervisor-level final notice, a PTAAB appeal must generally be filed within 30 days, and a further Maryland Tax Court appeal generally has another 30-day deadline.
Where can I find Maryland deeds and property plats?
Use the Liber/Folio shown in the SDAT property record to search the recorded deed through MDLandRec. Recorded plats can be researched through Plats.net or the local land-records office. SDAT’s online property map is not a boundary survey.

Khushboo Bobade is the editor and digital publisher of CountyAuditors.org. She oversees the research and editorial process for the website, ensuring that information about county auditor offices, property records, and government resources is accurate, verified, and easy for visitors to understand.
10 Ohio Property Tax Calculators & Auditor Tools
Built specifically for Ohio's 35% assessment ratio, current DTE forms, and 2026 Homestead, Owner-Occupancy, CAUV, Conveyance Fee, and Board of Revision rules. Every number reflects verified Ohio Department of Taxation amounts.
Annual Tax Bill Estimator
OHIOApplies Ohio's 35% assessment ratio plus your county's effective millage tier — the actual math your auditor uses.
Homestead Reduction Calculator
DTE 105A2026 Ohio Homestead: $29,000 general or $58,000 enhanced (100% disabled vet, KIA spouse). OAGI under $41,000 required for non-veteran applicants.
Owner-Occupancy & Non-Business Credits
DTE 105CEvery Ohio owner-occupied home qualifies for the 2.5% Owner-Occupancy Credit plus the automatic 10% Non-Business Credit. Most owners don't realize these stack.
Conveyance Fee Calculator
ORC 322When you sell or transfer Ohio property, the auditor collects $1 state + up to $3 county per $1,000, plus $0.50 per parcel. Counties choose their rate.
CAUV Agricultural Savings
DTE 109Ohio's Current Agricultural Use Value cuts taxable value dramatically for farmland (10+ acres, or smaller with $2,500+ annual gross income).
Mill Rate Converter
Ohio tax rates appear three ways on auditor sites: mills, percent, or dollars per $1,000. Convert between them instantly.
Parcel Number Cleaner
Ohio's 88 counties each format parcels differently — Franklin uses 010-123456-00, Cuyahoga uses 001-23-456, Hamilton uses 100-0001-0001-00. Auto-detects.
35% Ratio Sanity Check
Ohio law sets taxable value at 35% of market value. If yours is significantly higher, you're a strong BOR appeal candidate.
BOR Appeal Savings
DTE 1A successful Board of Revision complaint typically cuts your value 10–20%. Filing is free and stays in effect until the next reappraisal.
BOR Deadline Countdown
MAR 31Ohio's statutory Board of Revision filing deadline is March 31 for the prior tax year. Miss it and you wait until next year — no extensions.
Verify with the official Ohio source
These calculators use the verified 2026 Ohio Department of Taxation amounts and statutory rules. For your exact bill, exemption status, and county-specific deadlines, always confirm with your county auditor and the Ohio Revised Code:
Estimates use Ohio's 35% statutory assessment ratio and effective tax rate tiers averaged across major Ohio counties. Your actual bill depends on local school levies, voted millage, inside vs. outside millage splits, House Bill 920 reduction factors (HB 920), and special assessments. The 2026 Homestead general amount ($29,000) and enhanced amount ($58,000) reflect HB 187 inflation indexing — your county auditor's office may show slightly different transitional figures. Nothing here is legal or tax advice. CountyAuditors.org is an independent informational directory, not affiliated with any county government.